Tibi's Backstage Glamour Had A Boyish Twist

Tibi designer, Amy Smilovic’s line, typically known for a feminine aesthetic, entered a new direction with a menswear inspired F/W 2012 collection. Lots of tailored silhouettes appeared on the runway, and the hair and makeup definitely had a 1960’s feel (the collection was a take on the Beatles). Kevin Ryan and Frank Rizzieri for Aveda created variations of messy updos on the models. Basically, the hair was pulled back with a little lift on the crown, to look like the girl just threw her hair back into a bun. They recommend using two elastics when doing an updo, because if one breaks the other will still stay in place. A volumizing tonic was used to give a little oomph to the look. A men’s product called Pure-Formance Grooming Clay was also applied to give hair some hold and chunkiness. They wanted the hair to appear undone and not too precious.

Kim Soane for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics created a cool, effortless look. The statement was a strong brow, keeping the rest of the makeup super clean and natural. The wind burnt cheeks stood out the most. Pink Truffle creamy color for cheeks and lips was applied in a 1960’s way—it was highlighted in the cheekbone, not the whole cheek, giving it a dewy effect. To finish off the look, nails were painted in an opaque white hue by Dashing Diva called NYC Fleet Week. The overall look was understated chic, what any girl aims for!

Band of Outsiders Pulls Inspiration from A '70's Film

As I checking out the backstage scene for Band of Outsiders all I kept hearing was "Are you a boy or a girl?" Huh??  Dick Page, Artistic Director for Shisheido, quickly clarified how there was a 'girl' girl and 'boy' girl look for their shows.  The girl is feminine and lady like and the boy is androgynous and tougher. Inspired by the movie Picnic at Hanging Rock, Page wanted to showcase the natural looking beauty from the film.

The 'girl' girls makeup were dreamy with flushed cheeks using Shisheido's Accentuating Color Stick in S3 and nothing on the eyes.  The 'boy' girls had the rosy cheeks but made the look edgier with black eyeliner (nothing like a good eyeliner). Page used a lip brush to apply the cream eyeliner inside the eye since it's not too pointy and can pick up a lot of color.

Didier Maliage, Lead Stylist for Aveda, wanted to recreate the romantic looks from the movie where the 'girl' would have undone, loose waves just on the ends.  No rollers necessary, all that was needed was the Aveda Brilliant Retexturing Gel applied throughout the hair, then rolled into two buns on the sides of the head (think Princess Leia) and let the gel dry.  It's as simple as that.  For the 'boy', with a slight side part and some loose strands, the hair was pulled back and held together in a low messy bun.  To create that texture once the hair was up Maliage lightly backcombed to get that natural, messy look.  Topped off with a fedora and the look was complete.

Pro Tips on Achieving a Seductive Pout at The Academy of the Art University

Backstage at The Academy of the Art University in Lincoln Center I discovered one makeup tip that was well worth doing a whole post around!  Let's just say it's very BeautySweetSpot!  This one focuses all on the lips so pay attention and pucker up! The models were sporting imperfectly done perfect lips and makeup artist, Janessa Pare' of Aveda, taught me how to make your lipstick look like it was just kissed off.  Her key product: Aveda's Lip Glaze in Raspberry Tea.  MWAH!  Check it out:

Go Backstage at Christian Siriano

Behind the scenes for Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano's show was a mad house so grabbing interviews with the key makeup artists and hairstylists were like winning golds at the Olympics.  I did it!  I elbowed some camera men, knocked over a few models and fought through the tough crowd of eager reporters to bring you the scoop...

"Since most of Christian's fall 2010 collection is asymmetrical, we wanted to keep the hair asymmetrical as well," remarked Antoinette Peters, who lead the Aveda team backstage.  Depending on each models hair length, some wore it up and others wore it down, but they all had glamorous waves in common. Tip: The key to creating perfect curls is all in the prep before the curling iron even hits your hair.  After blow-drying, try spritzing Aveda Air Control Light Spray on each strand before curling for flexible hold and some texture.

Polly Osmond created the makeup look for Victoria's Secret Beauty and was on a mascara high!  The team applied four coats of black mascara onto the lashes! Attention on the eye was then brought up to the brows which were strongly defined, but with a wispy texture.  Tip: Use a brow brush with shadow to define your natural brows then simply flick existing individual hairs with a brow pencil to exaggerate them.  The lip was a creamy, matte fuchsia called Victoria Secret Lavish.  

Watch Christian Siriano talk about the show from backstage: